Midsnow

I will be purchasing a JDM RX7 FD in about a month in a half.
I will actually be traveling to look at the vehicle first before I buy.
Any suggestions or advice on what to look out for?

I've read several "what to look for when buying" guides on RX7's and even watched a few youtube videos. Just wondering if theirs anything particularly different or should be looked out for when buying JDM over USDM.

Thanks.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Well the steering wheel is on the "other side" so that may come into play!

Midsnow

Lol, well obviously besides that.
Oh I'll be documenting the whole experience and putting it up on Youtube also. Including the process of importing and registering it.

cr-rex

iTrader: (114)

No, there's nothing of any significance to note. It's just the same as buying a lhd.

Midsnow

I assumed as much but wanted to make sure.
Although my research indicates the JDM's do not have a CEL light?

cr-rex

iTrader: (114)

You'll never use it even if it had one. It's of no significance.

Midsnow

I take it because you'll use the led mod to check for any codes anyways? The one I'm going to go look at already has an Apexi Power FC ECU on it. I still need to do alot of research on that.

cr-rex

iTrader: (114)

I say that for 2 reasons.... 1 being in my experience the fd cel is a super rare occurrence. Odds are, you'll never see it. 2 is that the majority of people go power fc or some other stand alone rendering the cel useless. It's just not something that's used with any frequency to be of any importance.

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

The JDM cars were speed limited to 112mph.

If that feature is still intact then the car was owned by a normal responsible Japanese citizen.

You know, gotta check that one out on the test drive

JK, you already said it has a Power FC, so you know it has been railed on...

Midsnow

Yeah, no illusions on that one. This one's been in Canada for 9 years already. But the owner seems to have taken good care of it. He's very confident it will make the 1,450 mile drive down to Florida without issue. I'm taking a gamble on it driving the whole way like that I know. But hey....you got to do stupid stuff once in a while right?

cr-rex

iTrader: (114)

You are incredibly brave. That trip solo is gonna be an adventure. Why not have it transported? That's a lot of risk you're taking

Midsnow

Won't be purely solo, my brothers coming along for the ride.
So I won't be too bored.

Going to cost an arm and a leg to have a transport company get the car in Canada and get it to the US. They have to handle all the import paper work at the border also which adds to the charge.
It'd be cheaper for me to import it myself over then have a transport company pick it up.

Problem is, I don't have alot of time to be doing all this and arranging for a company to pick it up where I can oversee them loading it and what not. I also don't have anywhere to put the car in the states until Delaware for a transport company to come pick it up. Pretty sure I don't want to leave it in a walmart parking lot for up to a week you know? And then how does the truck driver get the keys to the car to load it? How do you make sure he leave it running for a good 5 to 10 minutes to warm up before shutting it off?

Yeah, all my co-workers have already given me the "whats wrong with you" look on this one. I have faith. Worst situation I just need to get it to Delaware. I have a friend who could hold it at his place until transport could be arranged. Or North Carolina another friend could hold it. So I have two states along the way I could ditch into if need be. I'll have Triple A if the worst should happen.

But come on, that's being really grim. It'll be fine!

FEED AFFLUX v5

iTrader: (5)

No idea what car you are buying, but if it has a modified exhaust get some earplugs....1,450 miles could be painful!!!

Midsnow

92 RHD Rx7.

Thanks for the suggestion.
I know it has a 3.5in exhaust with a electronic cut out, no clue if it has a muffler. Hadn't thought of that. I'll message the guy and see how loud it really is.

lduley

iTrader: (1)

Make sure when you put insurance on it that you get towing, and ask your insurance company where they WON’T go versus where they will since that if you breakdown theres a 95% chance it will be out’ve your state

Midsnow

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely have Triple A so that if something happens I have a more leg room to negotiate a tow.

Jacob Carey

AaA told me that the vehicle has to be registered to the policy holder for them to help you. I had an engine blow on a purchase I'd made on drive home, made for an expensive tow

Midsnow

Yes I have had this experience too.
Long time ago a buddy and I went half on a car. A 90 Camaro that was not running at the time of purchase. Was simply a fuel pump needing to be replaced. But AaA would not tow it until it had tags on it. So we had to go get it tagged first.

Another time more recently I purchased a 67 Camaro, which was just a rolling shell with no trans, no motor, no glass. And no tags on it. The tow driver never said a word just loaded it and hauled it to my house.

So it really depends on who you get, but the actual policy states the vehicle must be in your name and have tags on it for it to be eligible for a tow.

I will have tags on the RX7 and the registration will be in my name. So no worries about being denied a tow. But thanks for the thought and suggestion.

403rx7

When buying a right hand drive some points of concern should be:

-How many owners since imported
-Auction paperwork from japan (this can detail engine swaps, issues with the car prior to coming across the pond, it's auction grade will tell you alot)

-If your insurance will insure it - some companies require you to have two vehicles insured under your name (including the FD) to give it full coverage. Last thing you want is to drive around a 30k+ car with no coverage on it.

-The headlights in japan are swayed to the left on alot of vehicles to keep the natural light beam away from oncoming traffic - it's the opposite in North America so some headlights may be required to be switched to North American or DOT approved versions.

-The plates in japan are different size than north american ones - you will require a JDM to USDM adapter bracket to be able to bolt them to your car correctly - without the plate you can get one bolt in and probably a zip tie making it easier for people to steal your plate or it to fall off.

Midsnow

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

It's second owner since being shipped to Canada. He's had it 9 years.
No clue if auction paperwork is still with the vehicle but I have access to that info from an importer.

My insurance should have no issue insuring it. Others have been insured RHD by them in the past and I forsee no issue. I'll know more when I give them a call a week or two before flying out.

Unsure if the RX7's were leaned to the left or not on lights. I'll be planning on doing a headlight conversion if they are.

Lastly, yeah I was aware the license plates are different. Canada and US plates are similar yes? I'll be driving it on Canadian Temp tags. Once back in the states if I need to order a jdm to usdm license bracket adapter, then I will.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

You will need to acquire DOT light lenses. But if the car has been in Canada 9 years, I would suspect you already have. Look for DOT on the lense.


Do they still sell DOT lenses for FD at Mazda?


Clever guy had switched and flipped upside down the JDM lenses on my car, perhaps that was enough to pass inspection in his locale.


Please post a pic of your new car, eh?

Midsnow

Not mine yet, I'll be going up to Canada in Oct. to get it.
I'll keep an eye out and see if its DOT but I'm not to worried at the moment on that. No inspections in my state so I don't have to worry about having to rush out to fix it right away. Long as I don't drive at night till I do resolve it. If Mazda doesn't sell dot then like your buddy I may just end up flipping the lenses.

Redbul

iTrader: (26)

Nice looking car. Aftermarket tails work with that black combination. You can later sell the gandador mirrors to fund your childrens' college education.